Flower holder



Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,577,251 FLOWER HOLDER Floyd D. King, Phoenix,Ariz. AppucatinAgust 15, 1949, seri'aiNo. 110,374V

This invention pertains to an improved flower holder or frog which isV of novel Vshape'andde-A sign and which is so constructed as to 'readily and firmly support cut flowers, regardlessof the diameter or length of their stem portions, in any desired pattern.

In the past it has been usual to form `:flower frogs or holders of hemispherical shape pro'- vided'with a series of perforations designed to receive the stems of cut flowers. With holders of this type the support provided for the flowers isy inferior and the range of possible flower patterns is extremely limited. As a further Objection to this conventional type of holder is the fact' that frequently the water in the bowl or con` tainer does not adequately penetrate to the flower stems, resulting. in rapid deterioration of the iiowers. The need has long been felt for' a iower holder which will `rmly and positively hold cut flowers in any desired arrangement re# gardless of the length or diameter of their stems. The present holder answers this need'and will securely hold any type of cut flower, regardless of stem diameter, in any desired arrangement. y

It is therefore one object of this `invention to provide a novel flower holder which will securely hold any type of out liower, regardless of stem diameter or length. f

It is another object of this invention tor evolve such a flower holder which is readily adaptable'to any desired configuration of the bouquet of "cut flowers.

It is a further object of this invention to evolve such a flower holder which is readily and easily assembled and which may be modified as desired to support any size or shape of cut flower bouquet.

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent as this specification proceeds. Referring to the drawing, Y -*Fig.'1is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the novel flower holder;

Fig.v2 is a topplan view of the improved flower holder;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the holder with the louvres removed showing the central supporting vdisc and base;

Fig. 4 is a side View of one of the louvres of the flower holder showing the central slot and the peripheral corrugations; and

Fig. 5 is a side view of the flower holder with the louvres in place in the supporting disc, showing the angular disposition of the louvres.

In the drawing, II) indicates the vertical support disc for the liower holder, which as shown 6 Claims. (Cl. l7441) in Fig. 3 preferably comprises a semi-circular disc member formed of metal or any other suitable material which is provided about its upper periphery with a series of angularly disposed slots II. Slots II are preferably of equal length and are arranged at such an angle to each other as to -form an intersecting point slightly below the median center of disc Id. Slots II are preferably slightly longer than the radius of semi-circular' disc I0 and are formed with parallel sides and rectangular lower extremities. Slots II may be cut or sawed into disc I or may be formed in any other appropriate fashion.

VBase I2 is shown rectangularly disposed with respect to disc I0 and appropriately affixed thereto as" by soldering, cementing or in any other appropriate fashion. Base I2 is preferably circular in shape, but may be of any other desired shape. Disc Ill is preferably afxed across the center of base I2 and is disposed at right angles thereto in such fashion as to divide base I2 into two equal portions.

NLouvres I3 are preferably formed of any suitable material, metal or plastic, and as shown are semi-circular in shape and are provided with a central slot I4 which is `preferably cut into them slightly more than half of their vradial depth.

Co'rrugations I5 are preferably provided `about the upper peripheral extremity of louvres I3 and arev so :disposed with respect to each other as to provide peripheral channels therein. As shown, peripheral corrugations I5 are disposed about the "upper peripheral extremities of louvres `I3 and ,extend into louvres I3 a distance slightly greater than its radius. Corrugations I5 are preferably separated at the upper center of louvre I3jrby a central space I6 which is designed to fit within slots II of main supporting disc |01.

"'The' improved flower holder is assembled as follows:v

'Central supporting disc IG is first suitably affixed to circular Vbase I2 along Yits diameter and atanA angle' of 90 thereto. With central sup-f porting disc I0 properly in position withlrespect to base I2 louvres I3 are inserted into'the slots II of central disc I0 and are forced downwardly therein until they contact the surface of base I2, the lower portion of supporting disc I@ fitting in slots I4 in louvres I3. 'Louvres i3 may if desired be cemented or soldered to base I2 or they may be left free for easy removal.

It'will be seen that the spaces between louvres I3 become progressively more restricted toward the base of the holder providing progressively more restricted spaces for the insertion of the 3 iiower stems. Louvres i3 should be progressively graduated in height from the innermost louvre to the outermost to maintain a uniform outer spherical surface for the holder.

The improved flower holder may be used without base l2 where it is desired to cement it or otherwise affix it to the surface of a bowl or vase. In this case, it is merely necessary to cement or otherwise aixsupporting disc l to the surface of the bowl or other container in a vertical position and then insert the louvres in the slots of disc I0.

The improved flower holder is preferablyvused as follows:

The entire holder is rst placed in abowl of water or other container, thewater being of such depth as to insure the complete penetration of all stem extremities therein. For most normal usage the water should cover at least the lower one third of the flowerholder. With the holder in place in the bowl andY vthe water at the desired level the stems of cut flowers are then inserted between the louvres of, the `holder tothe depth necessary to firmly wedge the Vextremities ofthe stems between adjacent louvres. For flowers with large stems it is not `necessary t insert the lower extremities of the stem las far into the holder as for flowers with small stems. For example, roses, having a substantial stem diameter would probably be inserted about two thirds of the depth 0f the louvres at which point the stems would be securely wedged between adjacent louvres; If desired, the iiower's may be 'arranged in the holder prior to placing the holder in the bowl.

The corrugations l5 disposed about the upper peripheries of adjacent louvresprovide recesses about the outer periphery thereof in which thev stems of individual out flowers may be rested or supported to assist in holdingthem'i'n a predetermined desired position. They serve' to proyide additional sup-port foi` extremely fine stemmed flowers where such support is needed. It will also be seen that with this novel holder any 'desired design or arrangement of out flowermay be made at thearrangers will.

By virtue of the fact that adjacent louvres .are in Contact with each other Aat the bottom 'offthe holder, extremely fine stemmed cut flowers may be firmly wedged into position 'at the lower ex'- tremities of the louvres and will be held there securely in the constricted space between adjacent louvres. Also, by virtue of the fact'tl'iat Ythe holder is open at each lateral extremity water will freely penetrate between the louvresto Ythe desired depth. l v

The device may be made in any 'desired dimensions depending upon the size of the cut flowers, shrubs or plants to be supported therein.V For example, for holding extremely small cutflowers such as violets the device would be made in r' duced size, but for holding large, Vlong"stemrried roses or other large stemmed sizable cut flowers the size of the holder would'be increased proportionately.

In the preferred embodiment of the holder fteen or more louvres are normally used, but the number of louvres may be varied depending upon the number and type of cut owers to be supported, and if desired louvres may be removed and added at will.

As has been before stated, the novel holder can be made integral with a flower bowl or container or it may bev magde as shown as an independent unit with an integral base which can be placed in any type of container.

The invention is susceptible of numerous embodiments without departing from the spirit thereof. Attention is directed to the appended claims for a limitation of its scope.

What is claimed is:

1. In a flower holder, a base, a supporting disc vertically mounted on said base, peripheral slots angularly disposed in said supporting disc about its upper peripherywand semi-circular louvre members tted into said ls lc'its in said disc.

2. In a flower holder, a base, a semi-circular disc vertically mounted on said base, peripheral slots disposed about the'upper periphery of said disc and slotted louvres fitted into the jslots of said disc and bearing against said base at their lower extremities.

3. In a ilower holder, a base, a semi-circular disc vertically mounted on said base, slots in said disc about its upper periphery and extending downwardly in said disc an appreciable vdistance and slotted louvre members `fitted into the slots in saidy disc and bearing against said base at their lower extremities.

4. In a flower holder, a base, a supporting disc vertically mounted on said base, angular slots in the upper peripheral extremity of said supporting disc and louvre members tted into said slots and bearing against said base.

5. In a flower holder, a base, a semi-circular supporting disc vertically mounted on said base, peripheral slots in said supporting disc angularly disposed to each other and louvre means fitted into said slots and supported on said base.

6. In a ower holder, a circular base, a semicircular supporting disc vertically mounted on one diameter of said base, angularly disposed slots in the upper extremity of said supporting disc and slotted louvres iitted into said slots in said supporting disc and resting on said base.

FLOYD D. KING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

y UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Woltz `July 10, 1928 

